PHS Teacher Reinstated

A Parkersburg High School teacher, Jesse Young was suspended over a student dance video but is now being reinstated.

The Board of Education originally received a 30-day unpaid suspension on March 7. Wood County Schools Superintendent Pat Law had recommended that the Board of Education extend the suspension to May 3.

Law withdrew the recommendation Tuesday following an executive session with the board.

Young was suspended for his role in a Harlem Shake video that administrators said included students simulating sex acts. On March 26, the board decided not to offer Young a contract for next year.

Assistant superintendent Bob Harris says a grievance hearing requested by Young is set for April 26.

UPDATE: 4/16/2013 10:30 PM

It was decided in late March that Jesse Young would not have his contract renewed.

However, he has been on unpaid suspension since march for his role in the video posted online.

The board was slated to discuss young's suspension tonight, but it was taken off of the agenda after an executive session.

During the public hearing, family, friends, and students vouched for young's character and his positive affect on the student body.

"Jesse worked very hard to get where he is. I sincerely hope you will take this into consideration and not base his whole career on the craze dance Harlem shake. God bless," says Young's mother.

"Ask any student, everyone looks forward to him. He makes class fun. He's easy to get along with, he's easy to talk to. Students relate to him really easily. It's a comfortable class to be in," says one of Young's students.

Superintendent Dr. Patrick Law declined to comment on why the item was removed from the agenda or when it will again appear before council.

Also Tuesday evening, the board announced it would hold a special meeting on April 19th at 6:30 pm to discuss and reward bids for the Parkersburg High School Stadium Field renovations.___________________________________________________________

The Wood County Board of Education decided one Parkersburg High School teacher's suspension wasn't long enough.

The school board voted Tuesday night on Jesse Young's suspension to be extended up to 30 days for his role in the Harlem Shake video earlier this month.

The video was posted online showing young and other students dancing inappropriately.

He will serve his suspension without pay.

"Well it's not so much of a punishment as it to separate the employee from the position while we continue to investigate the circumstances," says Wood County Schools Superintendent, Doctor Patrick Law.

Also at the board meeting, the Parkersburg South Girls Basketball Team was honored for winning the West Virginia State AAA.

Online Public Information File

Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or fccinfo@fcc.gov.